Effects of self-rated health and self-rated economic situation on depressed mood via life satisfaction among older adults in Costa Rica

Abstract

Depression is not only a mental health disorder, but it is also a major public health problem affecting the population in many different ways. It is often associated to chronic medical diseases and can worsen their health outcome (Jakkula et al., 2008; Koivumaa-Honkanen et al., 2001; Soronen et al., 2008). Major depression is one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide, and its impact is expected to grow (World Health Organization [WHO], 2008). Understanding how several risk factors antecede and play a role in the onset of depression is a key step for the formulation of adequate health policies. Special attention has to be paid to depression in aging societies like Latin America (Cotlear, 2011). Still, at the population level, depressive mood should be the focus of attention, as only a minority of depressive subjects is being diagnosed in health care (Wittchen et al., 2011). If depression is so relevant, how can it be better understood? Which factors may contribute to understand the onset of depression? In the present study, we examine how factors such as self-rated health, self-rated economic situation, and life satisfaction have an effect on the depressed mood in older adults in Costa Rica. As pointed out by Beck and Dozois (2011), beliefs and perceptions of circumstances play a key role in the onset of depressed mood. We base our study on this approach, and thus, we focus our attention on subjective variables.